Restaurateurs and shopkeepers believe that a Sunbury street’s reputation as a premier dining precinct will spread far and wide following a $2.1 million redevelopment.
Fairy lights installed in trees along O’Shanassy Street were switched on last Friday night, with Hume council and business owners celebrating efforts to encourage people to spend more time, and money, in the area.
Carmel Scerri, of Vic’s Food and Wine, said upgrades, including new footpaths, a second pedestrian crossing and landscaping, had transformed the street.
‘‘O’Shanassy Street used to be referred to as the dark little sister of Evans Street … that’s no longer,’’ she said. ‘‘When people think of Sunbury now, they think of the restaurants in O’Shanassy Street.’’
Powerlines have been moved underground, and kerbs and drainage upgraded as part of the project. Wider paths will give traders more room for outdoor tables, umbrellas and chairs.
The council has also approved new policies to allow businesses to set up permanent structures. Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said the lights would help showcase the mature elms that are a prominent part of the street.
‘‘They will create a wonderful ambience as residents dine, and will also leave a positive impression in the minds of visitors,’’ she said.
‘‘Hume’s recent works will help the Sunbury street be one of the truly great restaurant strips.’’
Ms Scerri said while works had been an inconvenience for shoppers and businesses, the gains would be significant.
‘‘Before, people would say we can’t get in here or can’t get in there, well we’ll just go to Melbourne,’’ she said. ‘‘Now we’ve got a lot of really good restaurants … it draws them all in.’’
